Apparatus and method for bioelectric stimulation, healing acceleration, pain relief, or pathogen devitalization
First Claim
1. An apparatus for generating an electrical signal for use in biomedical applications said apparatus comprising(a) a first frequency generator that generates a first intermediate output, said first intermediate output being coupled to and thereby controlling(b) a second frequency generator that generates one or more second intermediate outputs, said second intermediate outputs being coupled to(c) one or more active or passive electrical components that modify said second intermediate outputs thereby producing one or more third intermediate outputs, said third intermediate outputs being coupled to and thereby controlling one or more logic-level drivers that generate one or more fourth intermediate outputs, said fourth intermediate outputs being coupled to an output filter that generates a final output, said final output constituting said electrical signal comprising:
- (i) at least four relatively longer primary timing intervals T1, T2, T3, T4 and others if present, forming in succession a repeating primary cycle, said primary cycle having a first frequency;
(ii) at least two relatively shorter secondary timing intervals t1, t2 and so forth, into which at least one of said primary timing intervals is divided and which form in succession a repeating secondary cycle throughout its length, said secondary cycle having a second frequency, said second frequency being less than about 200 kHz;
while at least one other of said primary timing intervals is not so divided;
(iii) a plurality of substantially constant voltage or current levels L1, L2 and so forth;
(iv) selection of one of said voltage or current levels during each of said secondary intervals within a said primary interval which is so divided, or during the whole of said primary interval if it is not so divided;
said levels, selected in succession throughout the course of said primary cycle, thereby forming said electrical signal; and
(v) further selection of one or more of said primary intervals, said further selected intervals being not so divided, as one or more equalizing pulses for the establishment of substantial charge balance throughout the course of any one repetition of said primary cycle,wherein the selection of said primary and secondary timing intervals, and of said voltage or current levels within each, cause said electrical signal to emulate a specific, defined mathematical function having an amplitude which varies with time, andwherein said biomedical application comprises pain relief, stimulation of tissue growth, acceleration of tissue healing, stimulation of bone growth, acceleration of bone healing, improvement of bone healing, improvement of bone density, reduction of tissue inflammation, repair of tissue damage, reduction of tissue swelling, promotion of tissue graft survival, promotion of tissue graft survival, modification of blood flow, enhancement of biochemical production, enhancement of tissue biochemical production, devitalization of organisms, enhancement of joint repair, enhancement of joint replacement, enhancement of blood storage, and improvement of neurological conditions.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An method and method for generating an electrical signal for use in biomedical applications, including two timing-interval generators, each optionally driving a multistep sequencer; analog, digital or hybrid means for combining the resulting timed signals into a complex electrical signal; optional filtering means for blocking direct current, removing selected frequency components from the resulting signal, and/or providing voltage step-up if needed; and conductive means for coupling the resulting signal to a human or animal body, food, beverage or other liquid, cell or tissue culture, or pharmaceutical material, in order to relieve pain, stimulate healing or growth, enhance the production of specific biochemicals, or devitalize selected types of organisms.
499 Citations
113 Claims
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1. An apparatus for generating an electrical signal for use in biomedical applications said apparatus comprising
(a) a first frequency generator that generates a first intermediate output, said first intermediate output being coupled to and thereby controlling (b) a second frequency generator that generates one or more second intermediate outputs, said second intermediate outputs being coupled to (c) one or more active or passive electrical components that modify said second intermediate outputs thereby producing one or more third intermediate outputs, said third intermediate outputs being coupled to and thereby controlling one or more logic-level drivers that generate one or more fourth intermediate outputs, said fourth intermediate outputs being coupled to an output filter that generates a final output, said final output constituting said electrical signal comprising: - (i) at least four relatively longer primary timing intervals T1, T2, T3, T4 and others if present, forming in succession a repeating primary cycle, said primary cycle having a first frequency;
(ii) at least two relatively shorter secondary timing intervals t1, t2 and so forth, into which at least one of said primary timing intervals is divided and which form in succession a repeating secondary cycle throughout its length, said secondary cycle having a second frequency, said second frequency being less than about 200 kHz;
while at least one other of said primary timing intervals is not so divided;
(iii) a plurality of substantially constant voltage or current levels L1, L2 and so forth;
(iv) selection of one of said voltage or current levels during each of said secondary intervals within a said primary interval which is so divided, or during the whole of said primary interval if it is not so divided;
said levels, selected in succession throughout the course of said primary cycle, thereby forming said electrical signal; and
(v) further selection of one or more of said primary intervals, said further selected intervals being not so divided, as one or more equalizing pulses for the establishment of substantial charge balance throughout the course of any one repetition of said primary cycle,wherein the selection of said primary and secondary timing intervals, and of said voltage or current levels within each, cause said electrical signal to emulate a specific, defined mathematical function having an amplitude which varies with time, and wherein said biomedical application comprises pain relief, stimulation of tissue growth, acceleration of tissue healing, stimulation of bone growth, acceleration of bone healing, improvement of bone healing, improvement of bone density, reduction of tissue inflammation, repair of tissue damage, reduction of tissue swelling, promotion of tissue graft survival, promotion of tissue graft survival, modification of blood flow, enhancement of biochemical production, enhancement of tissue biochemical production, devitalization of organisms, enhancement of joint repair, enhancement of joint replacement, enhancement of blood storage, and improvement of neurological conditions. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 97)
- (i) at least four relatively longer primary timing intervals T1, T2, T3, T4 and others if present, forming in succession a repeating primary cycle, said primary cycle having a first frequency;
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58. An apparatus for generating an electrical signal for use in biomedical applications, said apparatus comprising (a) a first frequency generator that generates a first intermediate output, said first intermediate output being coupled to and thereby controlling (b) a second frequency generator that generates one or more second intermediate outputs, said second intermediate outputs being coupled to (c) one or more active or passive electrical components that modify said second intermediate outputs thereby producing one or more third intermediate outputs, said third intermediate outputs being coupled to and thereby controlling one or more logic-level drivers that generate one or more fourth intermediate outputs, said fourth intermediate outputs being coupled to an output filter that generates a final output, said final output constituting said electrical signal comprising:
- (a) at least four relatively longer primary timing intervals T1, T2, T3, T4 and others if present, forming in succession a repeating primary cycle, said primary cycle having a frequency;
(b) at least two relatively shorter secondary timing intervals t1, t2 and so forth, into which at least one of said primary timing intervals is divided and which form in succession a repeating secondary cycle throughout its length, said secondary cycle having a frequency, said frequency lying below 200 kHz;
while at least one other of said primary timing intervals is not so divided;
(c) a plurality of substantially constant voltage or current levels L1, L2 and so forth;
(d) selection of one of said voltage or current levels during each of said secondary intervals within a said primary interval which is so divided, or during the whole of said primary interval if it is not so divided;
said levels, selected in succession throughout the course of said primary cycle, thereby forming said electrical signalswherein the selection of said primary and secondary timing intervals, and of said voltage or current levels within each, cause said electrical signal to emulate a specific, defined mathematical function having an amplitude which varies with time, and wherein said biomedical application comprises pain relief, stimulation of tissue growth, acceleration of tissue healing, stimulation of bone growth, acceleration of bone healing, improvement of bone healing, improvement of bone density, reduction of tissue inflammation, repair of tissue damage, reduction of tissue swelling, promotion of tissue graft survival, promotion of tissue graft survival, modification of blood flow, enhancement of biochemical production, enhancement of tissue biochemical production, devitalization of organisms, enhancement of joint repair, enhancement of joint replacement, enhancement of blood storage, and improvement of neurological conditions.
- (a) at least four relatively longer primary timing intervals T1, T2, T3, T4 and others if present, forming in succession a repeating primary cycle, said primary cycle having a frequency;
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59. The apparatus as recited in claims or 58 wherein said biomedical applications further comprise treatment of rotator cuff injury, treatment of osteoarthritis, treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome.
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60. A method for generating an electrical signal for use in biomedical applications said, method comprising:
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(a) generating at least four relatively longer primary timing intervals T1, T2, T3, T4 and others if present, forming in succession a repeating primary cycle, said primary cycle having a frequency; (b) generating at least two relatively shorter secondary timing intervals t1, t2 and so forth, into which at least one of said primary timing intervals is divided and which form in succession a repeating secondary cycle throughout its length, said secondary cycle having a frequency, said frequency lying below 200 kHz;
while at least one other of said primary timing intervals is not so divided;(c) generating a plurality of substantially constant voltage or current levels L1, L2 and so forth; (d) selecting one of said voltage or current levels during each of said secondary intervals within a said primary interval which is so divided, or during the whole of said primary interval if it is not so divided;
said levels, selected in succession throughout the course of said primary cycle, thereby forming said electrical signal;(e) further selecting one or more of said primary intervals, said further selected intervals being not so divided, as one or more equalizing pulses for the establishment of substantial charge balance throughout the course of any one repetition of said primary cycle; and (f) applying said electrical signal to one or more of the following;
human body, animal body, cell culture, tissue culture, food, liquid, and pharmaceutical materials,wherein the selection of said primary and secondary timing intervals, and of said voltage or current levels within each, cause said electrical signal to emulate a specific, defined mathematical function having an amplitude which varies with time, and wherein said biomedical application comprises pain relief, stimulation of tissue growth, acceleration of tissue healing, stimulation of bone growth, acceleration of bone healing, improvement of bone healing, improvement of bone density, reduction of tissue inflammation, repair of tissue damage, reduction of tissue swelling, promotion of tissue graft survival, promotion of tissue graft survival, modification of blood flow, enhancement of biochemical production, enhancement of tissue biochemical production, devitalization of organisms, enhancement of joint repair, enhancement of joint replacement, enhancement of blood storage, and improvement of neurological conditions. - View Dependent Claims (61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89, 90, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 98, 99, 100, 101, 102, 103, 104, 105, 106, 107)
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108. A method for generating an electrical signal for use in biomedical applications, said method comprising:
- (a) generating at least four relatively longer primary timing intervals T1, T2, T3, T4 and others if present, forming in succession a repeating primary cycle, said primary cycle having a frequency;
(b) generating at least two relatively shorter secondary timing intervals t1, t2 and so forth, into which at least one of said primary timing intervals is divided and which form in succession a repeating secondary cycle throughout its length, said secondary cycle having a frequency, said frequency being less than about 200 kHz;
while at least one other of said primary timing intervals is not so divided;
(c) generating a plurality of substantially constant voltage or current levels L1, L2 and so forth;
(d) selecting one of said voltage or current levels during each of said secondary intervals within a said primary interval which is so divided, or during the whole of said primary interval if it is not so divided;
said levels, selected in succession throughout the course of said primary cycle, thereby forming said electrical signal; and
(e) applying said electrical signal to one or more of the following;
human body, animal body, cell culture, tissue culture, food, liquid, and pharmaceutical materialswherein the selection of said primary and secondary timing intervals, and of said voltage or current levels within each, cause said electrical signal to emulate a specific, defined mathematical function having an amplitude which varies with time, and wherein said biomedical application comprises pain relief, stimulation of tissue growth, acceleration of tissue healing, stimulation of bone growth, acceleration of bone healing, improvement of bone healing, improvement of bone density, reduction of tissue inflammation, repair of tissue damage, reduction of tissue swelling, promotion of tissue graft survival, promotion of tissue graft survival, modification of blood flow, enhancement of biochemical production, enhancement of tissue biochemical production, devitalization of organisms, enhancement of joint repair, enhancement of joint replacement, enhancement of blood storage, and improvement of neurological conditions. - View Dependent Claims (109)
- (a) generating at least four relatively longer primary timing intervals T1, T2, T3, T4 and others if present, forming in succession a repeating primary cycle, said primary cycle having a frequency;
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110. An apparatus comprising a generating assembly constructed and arranged to produce an electrical signal used in biomedical applications said electrical signal comprising (a) a repeating primary cycle, the primary cycle having at least four primary timing intervals, and (b) a repeating secondary cycle formed by dividing at least one of said primary timing intervals into at least two secondary timing intervals, the secondary cycle having a frequency below 200 kHz, each of the secondary intervals within the primary interval which is divided having a substantially constant voltage or current level, or during the whole of the primary interval not divided having a substantially constant voltage or current level, and at least one of the primary timing intervals not divided being an equalizing pulse to substantially charge balance the electrical signal throughout the course of any one repetition of the primary cycle
wherein the selection of said primary and secondary timing intervals, and of said voltage or current levels within each, cause said electrical signal to emulate a specific, defined mathematical function having an amplitude which varies with time, and wherein said biomedical application comprises pain relief, stimulation of tissue growth, acceleration of tissue healing, stimulation of bone growth, acceleration of bone healing, improvement of bone healing, improvement of bone density, reduction of tissue inflammation, repair of tissue damage, reduction of tissue swelling, promotion of tissue graft survival, promotion of tissue graft survival, modification of blood flow, enhancement of biochemical production, enhancement of tissue biochemical production, devitalization of organisms, enhancement of joint repair, enhancement of joint replacement, enhancement of blood storage, and improvement of neurological conditions.
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111. A method of substantially charge balancing an electrical signal used in biomedical applications said method comprising (a) generating a repeating primary cycle, the primary cycle having at least four primary timing intervals, (b) forming a repeating secondary cycle by dividing at least one of said primary timing intervals into a least two secondary timing intervals, the secondary cycle having a frequency below 200 kHz, (c) selecting a substantially constant voltage or current level during each of the secondary intervals within the primary interval which is divided, or during the whole of the primary interval not divided, and (d) substantially charge balancing throughout the course of any one repetition of the primary cycle by selecting at least one of the primary timing intervals not divided as an equalizing pulse,
wherein the selection of said primary and secondary timing intervals, and of said voltage or current levels within each, cause said electrical signal to emulate a specific, defined mathematical function having an amplitude which varies with time, and wherein said biomedical application comprises pain relief, stimulation of tissue growth, acceleration of tissue healing, stimulation of bone growth, acceleration of bone healing, improvement of bone healing, improvement of bone density, reduction of tissue inflammation, repair of tissue damage, reduction of tissue swelling, promotion of tissue graft survival, promotion of tissue graft survival, modification of blood flow, enhancement of biochemical production, enhancement of tissue biochemical production, devitalization of organisms, enhancement of joint repair, enhancement of joint replacement, enhancement of blood storage, and improvement of neurological conditions.
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112. An apparatus for substantially charge balancing an electrical signal used in biomedical applications, said apparatus comprising (a) means for generating a repeating primary cycle, the primary cycle having at least four primary timing intervals, and (b) means for generating a repeating secondary cycle formed by dividing at least one of said primary timing intervals into a least two secondary timing intervals, the secondary cycle having a frequency below 200 kHz, each of the secondary intervals within the primary interval which is divided having a substantially constant voltage or current level, the whole of the primary interval not divided having a substantially constant voltage or current level, and at least one of the primary timing intervals not divided being an equalizing pulse to substantially charge balance the electrical signal throughout the course of any one repetition of the primary cycles
wherein the selection of said primary and secondary timing intervals, and of said voltage or current levels within each, cause said electrical signal to emulate a specific, defined mathematical function having an amplitude which varies with time, and wherein said biomedical application comprises pain relief, stimulation of tissue growth, acceleration of tissue healing, stimulation of bone growth, acceleration of bone healing, improvement of bone healing, improvement of bone density, reduction of tissue inflammation, repair of tissue damage, reduction of tissue swelling, promotion of tissue graft survival, promotion of tissue graft survival, modification of blood flow, enhancement of biochemical production, enhancement of tissue biochemical production, devitalization of organisms, enhancement of joint repair, enhancement of joint replacement, enhancement of blood storage, and improvement of neurological conditions.
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113. An apparatus comprising a processor programmed and connected to produce an electrical signal used in biomedical applications, said electrical signal comprising (a) a repeating primary cycle, the primary cycle having at least four primary timing intervals, and (b) a repeating secondary cycle formed by dividing at least one of said primary timing intervals into at least two secondary timing intervals, the secondary cycle having a frequency below 200 kHz, each of the secondary intervals within the primary interval which is divided having a substantially constant voltage or current level, the whole of the primary interval not divided having a substantially constant voltage or current level, and at least one of the primary timing intervals not divided being an equalizing pulse to substantially charge balance the electrical signal throughout the course of any one repetition of the primary cycle,
wherein said biomedical application comprises pain relief, stimulation of tissue growth, acceleration of tissue healing, stimulation of bone growth, acceleration of bone healing, improvement of bone healing, improvement of bone density, reduction of tissue inflammation, repair of tissue damage, reduction of tissue swelling, promotion of tissue graft survival, promotion of tissue graft survival, modification of blood flow, enhancement of biochemical production, enhancement of tissue biochemical production, devitalization of organisms, enhancement of joint repair, enhancement of joint replacement, enhancement of blood storage, and improvement of neurological conditions.
Specification